Sports

Delayed Physical Education and Sports course will resume- Badra Withanage

Published

5 years ago

2020/12/5

Students following Physical Education and Sports course in advanced level classes have spent more than eight months without knowing the destiny of their course.

by Reemus Fernando

Hundreds of students following Physical Education and Sports course in advanced level classes have spent more than eight months during the Covid 19 pandemic not knowing the destiny of their course while some of them have given it up. Badra Withanage, Director, Education for All, at the Ministry of Education said that discussions were underway to resume stalled courses including Physical Education and Sports.

She said that the delays were due to the unprecedented challenges her department had to face due to the temporary closure of many institutions which conduct courses for their students during the pandemic.

The National Institute of Sports Science (NISS) is one of the main institutions that combine with the Ministry of Education to facilitate students following Physical Education and Sports course. NISS has been selecting students across the island through a physical fitness test since the system was introduced a couple of years back.

“The National Institute of Sports Science has not completed the course for the present batch of students due to the Covid 19 forced lockdowns. Only when that batch finishes the course that we will be able to start the next batch. However we are looking at other options including the possibilities of starting the course at the Western Province Institute of Sports Science,” said Withanage in reply to The Island query.

However sources close to NISS said that the Institution has the capacity to recommence a course for a fresh batch if the Ministry of Education disburses funds.

The present batch of students will have to spend another six months to complete their course at the NISS.

Physical Education and Sports is just one of the many courses affected due to the pandemic. Students who had been following courses in hospitality and apparel sector industries are among the worst affected.

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Sports

Ananda earn first innings honours against Royal

Published

26 mins ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

Ananda earned first innngs honours against Royal as a five wicket haul by spinner Kithma Vidanapathirana and useful contributions with the bat from Nethula Edirimanne (34), Vidanapathirana (30), Lithma Perera (44), Rashan Dilaksha (52) and Himira Kudagama (24n.o.) stood in good stead for the home team in the Under 19 traditional cricket encounter at Ananda Mawatha on Friday.‎

‎Scores

‎Royal 189 all out in 53.1 overs (Rehan Peiris 58, Udantha Gangewatta 33, Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi 22; Kithma Vidanapathirana 5/34, Ashinsa Nainayake 2/38) and 222 for 9 in 62 overs (Hirun Liyanarachchi 57, Rehan Peiris 29, Udantha Gangewatta 47, Thevindu Wewalwala 37; Danindu Sellapperuma 5/45)

‎Ananda 239 all out in 69.5 over (Nethula Edirimanne 34, Kithma Vidanapathirana 30, Lithma Perera 44, Rashan Dilaksha 52, Himira Kudagama 24n.o.; Himaru Deshan 2/56, Ramiru Perera 5/61)

‎Bens looking for first innings advantage against Thomians at Kotahena

Day One ‎Scores

‎S. Thomas’ 189 all out in 63.3 overs (Mahith Rajapaksha 29, Ludeesha Matarage 25, Reshon Soloman 20, Raphael Hettige 44, Shanil Perera 22; Vihanga Rathnayaka 4/30, Lithika Jayasundara 2/17)

‎St. Benedict’s 134 for 4 in 31 overs (Mario Fernando 49, Mihila Jayaweera 47, Vihanga Rathnayake 22n.o.; Gimhan Mendis 3/29) (RF)

Latest News

SCG curator ‘really happy’ with pitch for final Ashes Test

Published

14 hours ago

2026/01/2

Priyan

The pitch at the SCG has been the centre of much attention [Cricinfo]

Todd Murphy is firming to play his first home Test, after the SCG’s head curator declared the pitch’s green covering would be near-irrelevant come day one.

With administrators still on edge after last week’s two day debacle in Melbourne, an extremely green SCG surface raised eyebrows in Sydney on Thursday.

But chief curator Adam Lewis insisted on Friday that should not be a concern, and he was hopeful Sydney would extend into a fifth day.

“You want to see green tinge three days out,” Lewis said. “If you’re not seeing any live grass three days out, then that’s when it’s a worry, … I’m really comfortable with where we’re sitting.

“We had a little bit of sun this morning. They’re saying a bit more sun tomorrow. That will take the greenness out of the pitch. We’re really happy with the pitches at the moment. We’re looking good.”

Lewis admitted he felt for MCG counterpart Matt Page last week, but said he felt no external pressure to ensure the fifth Test in Sydney went the distance.

It’s estimated that Cricket Australia (CA) has lost in the vicinity of AUD15 million in profits this summer, with the opening Test in Perth also finishing inside two days.

Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked at a function with teams on Thursday night that they had to ensure the game went to day three, in order to support the McGrath Foundation fundraiser.

One of the hardest grounds in the world to bowl on between 2014 and 2023, last year’s SCG Test was over in just two-and-a-half days.

Lewis said that his ground staff would go with 6mm of grass this year compared to 7mm last season, while also reducing its density. That in itself generally acts to flatten out the wicket and produce less movement, while also inviting the chance of spin late in the match.

“We just thought … we could thin our density out a little bit,” Lewis said. “That’s what we’ve done this year. We’ve practised that in the Shield matches and we’ve received very good marks.”

CA CEO Todd Greenberg said he too was confident the SCG Test would last the distance.

“I’ve had more phone calls and conversations about wickets and millimetres of grass than I thought I’d ever have,” Greenberg said. “But I’m hopeful and confident we will have a long and productive Test match here.”

All of which should spell good news for Murphy. Australia’s coaching staff had a prolonged conversation around the pitch on Friday morning, after leaving Murphy out and going with four quicks at the MCG.

Murphy then spent most of Friday’s training session bowling to Australia’s top order, while Alex Carey also had an extended run keeping to him.

With seven Tests to his name overseas, Murphy would be expected to come in for Jhye Richardson if he does play in Sydney.

England have promised to take the attack to Murphy, who played two Tests during the 2023 Ashes were he conceded 4.72 an over.

“Whoever plays, I think that’s the mantra of our team, is to try and put pressure on people,” opener Zak Crawley, said. “Todd’s a very good bowler, but I can envisage us trying to put some pressure on him, like we would all their bowlers.

That’s going to come with some risks, and if it’s turning it’s definitely going to be a threat. But I think we’ll try and put pressure on all their bowlers.”

The other question for Australia will be whether Cameron Green remains in the side, after Beau Webster was spotted fielding in the gully during slips training on Friday. Green has averaged 18.66 with the bat in this series. The SCG was the scene of Webster’s debut a year ago against India.

[Cricinfo]

Sports

Pramod hits 42 runs in an over

Published

1 day ago

2026/01/2

Thilina Walpola

Pramod Madushan hit 42 runs in an over.

Young Pramod Madushan has become the talk in cricket circles after he scored 42 runs in an over for Mercantile Services Cricket Academy against Sigi Cricket Academy at Ambalangoda recently.

In an over that contained nine deliveries, including two no-balls and a wide, Madushan cut loose hitting three fours and five sixes. In all, the over bowled by Bihandu Sandiv went for 45 runs.

The young cricketer from D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo shares the same name as Sri Lanka fast bowler Pramod Madushan. However, the 19-year-old is a wicketkeeper batter.

His knock of 103 came in just 38 deliveries and contained eight fours and ten sixes.